Abstract: An orthopedic plate has a first end including a locking screw hole that receives a locking screw and spaced from that hole is a compression housing that extends from the bone-facing side of the plate and which receives a compression screw that forms an angle of from about 10° to about 70° with a longitudinal axis of the plate. In a further embodiment, the plate also includes a second end with a chamfer for insertion of the plate into bone, and in a still further embodiment, the plate is an MTP plate.

Abstract: An orthopedic plate is designed for opening osteotomies and includes a contoured double tabbed or butterfly shaped plate portion which can accommodate selective fixation including locking, variable locking and non-locking. The plate also includes a centrally located osteotomy support that maintains the opening between bone segments at a spaced relationship. The support can be integral to the plate, or can be modular, i.e. a separate and adjustable segment which can be changed to accommodate the desired geometry of the osteotomy site.

Abstract: The invention comprises an implant having a first end section and a second end section, where the first end has a cancellous thread for implantation in a first section of bone and the second end includes expansion slots and barbs or wings, that that resist movement out of a second section of bone. These anchors expand outwardly when a rigid wire, such as a k-wire is fed through a central cannulation in the implant and either the wire expands in diameter or the cannulation decreases in diameter. The implant also includes a collar intermediate to the first and second section which includes one or more surfaces to allow the first section to be screwed into a first bone section.

Abstract: An orthopedic plate is specifically configured for use in osteotomies, in which part of the plate extends into a portion of a first bone segment and part is external to the cortical surface of an adjacent bone segment to fix the segments to allow them to fuse. The plate has a first end and a second end where the end which is inserted into the bone has a chamfer and a through hole having a hole axis optionally at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the plate, and which can receive a screw, peg or pin. The second end of the plate includes a locking screw hole and optionally including a compression slot extending in a direction toward a screw hole in the opposing end. Optionally, the non-locking hole has a shroud that forms an arc or portion of a cylinder over the hole. A plate driver having a recess that holds the plate is used to insert the plate into the bone.

Abstract: A bone saw including a flexible, rectangular saw blade having a central longitudinal axis and a cutting edge at a distal tip, and a shaft. The shaft has a central longitudinal axis, and a blade passage within the shaft that houses the saw blade, where the central longitudinal axis of the saw blade, of the shaft, and of the blade passage, are parallel. Further included is a blade opening located through a distal end of the shaft and of the blade passage, the blade opening being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Also, a curved abutment can exist within the blade passage, aligning the saw blade with the blade opening. Distally translating the saw blade within the blade passage can cause the saw blade to conform to the curved abutment and exit the blade opening with the cutting edge essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A bone marker device for use in surgery. The device has attachment means which is/are attachable to bone that will ultimately be resected during the surgery. A guiding device that is removably securable to the bone of a patient adjacent to the joint and on which the bone marker device may be mounted. A guide member of the guiding device has a slot for receiving a bone resector and enabling accurate resection of bone around the joint.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a series of orthopedic plates for use in repair of a bone. The plate has a Y-shaped profile or an X-shaped profile which includes an elongate central trunk with a complex contour and either one or two terminal pairs of arms that have a first arm and a second arm that form differing angles and lengths relative to the trunk portion of the plate. The arms include locking screw holes where the screws converge toward each other to provide for multiplanar fixation but which do not impinge.

Abstract: Expanding a spinal canal by drilling a cylindrical passage in each pedicle of a vertebra, making a circumferential pedicle cut (osteotomy) through each pedicle from within the passage, separating each pedicle cut by inserting an implant into the passage to distract the pedicle cut (i.e., lengthen the pedicle) to expand the spinal canal, and securing each pedicle cut, allowing the vertebra to heal with the spinal canal expanded. The implant can include an outer sleeve, an inner bolt, and expandable flanges. The outer sleeve includes an upper and a lower portion, with the expandable flanges therein. Rotation of the inner bolt causes the upper and lower portions of the outer sleeve to separate, causing the pedicle cut to widen and the expandable flanges to radially extend into and stabilize the widened pedicle cut for expansion of the spinal canal.

Abstract: An orthopedic plate has a portion with a curved bottom surface that is designed to extend longitudinally along the bone and change the inferior curve as it advances proximally along the bone from a shallower to a sharper radius and further spirals downward as the plate advances. The plate includes a set of tabs, offset from the longitudinal axis of the plate to provide for better pullout values. The ears may be located at the terminal portion of the plate or somewhat more intermediate to the terminus of the plate, depending on the intended application. A point in the center of the central screw hole can be used to define the origin of the plate, and the angles of the screw and/or pegs holes can be referenced with Z, Y, and Z coordinates relative to this central hole.

Abstract: A cutting tool to be utilized in the resection or removal of bone tissue from patients includes a handle that tensions a wire or cable-like cutting member with a small diameter between at least two features on the handle to present a thin cutting profile. The design of the cutting tool includes features that protect against soft tissue damage and minimize the incision size necessary to utilize the tool. Some embodiments feature details of the cutting tool that interface with a surgical cutting guide system. Other embodiments describe a cutting tool with a selectively changeable length of the cutting profile of the wire cutting member. In one embodiment, the wire cutting member of the cutting tool is energized by mechanical energy in the form of a unidirectional rotation of the cutting member, a mechanical vibration of the cutting member, or an oscillating movement of the wire cutting member.

Abstract: A surgical hand piece has a source of ultrasonic energy provided to a connecting body having a first passage with one end to receive fluid from a first source and the other end at the connecting body distal end. A work tip has first and second tubes each having at least one opening at its distal end and the proximal end of one or both of the tubes connected to the connecting body distal end to receive the ultrasonic energy and to selectively receive or discharge fluid from either the first or second source as controlled by a valve. A cannula is provided which is adapted to be placed in an opening in the cornea through which the work tip extends during the removal of cataracts from the eye by phacoemulsification. The cannula may be equipped with channels that permit additional infusion of fluid into the eye during the procedure, which infusion also cools the surrounding corneal tissue to protect against heat generated by the ultrasonic vibration of the work tip.

Abstract: A surgical hand piece has a source of ultrasonic energy provided to a connecting body having a first passage with one end to receive fluid from a first source and the other end at the connecting body distal end. A work tip has first and second tubes each having at least one opening at its distal end and the proximal end of one or both of the tubes connected to the connecting body distal end to receive the ultrasonic energy and to selectively receive or discharge fluid from either the first or second source as controlled by a valve.

Abstract: A bone saw including a flexible, rectangular saw blade having a central longitudinal axis and a cutting edge at a distal tip, and a shaft. The shaft has a central longitudinal axis, and a blade passage within the shaft that houses the saw blade, where the central longitudinal axis of the saw blade, of the shaft, and of the blade passage, are parallel. Further included is a blade opening located through a distal end of the shaft and of the blade passage, the blade opening being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Also, a curved abutment can exist within the blade passage, aligning the saw blade with the blade opening. Distally translating the saw blade within the blade passage can cause the saw blade to conform to the curved abutment and exit the blade opening with the cutting edge essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: An instrument for inserting an implant between vertebrae includes an upper and a lower ramp each having a respective proximal and a distal end. A bracket assembly is coupled to the upper and lower ramps at the proximal ends. The bracket assembly biases the upper and lower ramps closed at the distal end. A drive member has a longitudinal axis and a screw thread thereon. The drive member is disposed between the upper and lower ramps and extends through a passage in the bracket assembly. An adjustable spreader is operably coupled to the drive member and movable between the upper and lower ramps along the longitudinal axis by rotation of the drive member. The adjustable spreader separates the upper ramp from the lower ramp during forwardly movement along the longitudinal axis. An implant holder is coupled to the adjustable spreader.

Abstract: A system for simulating a surgical procedure that includes a housing covering an anatomical model. The model is made up of simulated tissue supported on a base assembly that allows pivoting and rotation of the simulated tissue. The simulated tissue includes a portion that represents soft tissue, such as dermal tissue, muscle, connective tissue and the like, and a portion that represents hard tissue, such as osseous tissue. The housing includes apertures through which a surgical instrument may be inserted for simulating a procedure on the simulated tissue. Cannulas may be set within the apertures.

Abstract: A cannulated compression screw is used as an orthopedic implant and has a threaded distal end with an insertion tip that includes at least one and preferably two, three or four flutes to allow the screw to be self-tapping. Optionally, the screw also includes one or more reverse cutting flutes proximal to the insertion tip. The distal threads are cancellous threads having a generally constant minor diameter and a generally constant major diameter and a generally constant thread pitch. An intermediate portion of the screw is non-threaded and the proximal end includes a compression wedge or taper that has at least one, and preferably two to five flutes that terminate before the top of the screw. The proximal end further includes a radiused bevel to the terminal surface that includes a hexagonal torque driving recess. The diameter of the non-threaded shaft section is constant distal from the compression wedge to the distal tip where it defines the minor diameter of the threaded portion.

Abstract: Alignment guides, cutting guides, cutting tools and soft tissue management techniques for profile based resection (PBR) arthroplasty facilitate intraoperative and postoperative efficacy and ease of use. In one embodiment, a manual alignment guide is provided that permits less invasive incisions by providing soft tissue accommodating contours or reliefs. In another embodiment, a single medial drill guide plate is used for the PBR arthroplasty.

Abstract: A golf club or implement comprising a grip region (14), a head (15), and a shaft (12) connecting the grip region (14) to the head (16). A fairing (20) is attachable to a trailing edge of the shaft (12). The fairing can reduce drag associated with the shaft (12) during a swing motion of the club or implement. The fairing can, on attachment, extend along a portion of the shaft (12) from a location proximal the head (16) of the club or implement.

Abstract: Cutting guides, cutting tools, and soft tissue management techniques permit the use of pivoting guide surfaces to facilitate in controlling the sweep or arc of a cutting tool used in connection with resection and arthroplasty procedures. In accordance with one embodiment, a guide structure is provided with one or more guide pivot aperture(s) and one or more guide pivot reference surface(s) that mate with a bushing assembly controlling a cutting tool. The bushing assembly possesses a bushing reference plan which mates with the pivot reference surface(s) of the guide structure and a bushing pivot pin which mates with the guide pivot aperture(s) of the guide structure. In one embodiment, a bushing guide lumen is operably coupled to the guide structure for articulated and/or axial guidance of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant utilizes lateral retaining structures as part of the interior surface of the implant to more effectively secure and retain the implant while reducing the overall size and mass of the implant. In one embodiment, the prosthetic implant is provided with one or more T-shaped members extending from the inner surface of the implant, with the cross-member of the T-shaped member forming the laterally retaining structure that mate with a correspondingly shaped channel formed in the bone and are inserted into that channel at one or more oversize locations along the channel. In another embodiment, the prosthetic implant is provided with one or more retentions apertures in a projection structure extending inwardly from the inner surface of the implant that are laterally secured with a force fitted cross pin inserted through the retention aperture.